At the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair, authors from Africa and America share how lived experiences, identity and emotion shape inclusive storytelling in an AI-driven age

Sharjah, November 13, 2025

The importance of personal truth and inclusion in storytelling took the spotlight at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), where authors from across Africa and the Americas joined in a powerful conversation on the universality of human experience and the need for authenticity in an increasingly digital world.

At the Sharjah International Book Fair, young visitors learn the intricate Emirati weaving tradition through hands-on workshops led by artisan Alya Al Ali

Sharjah, November 13, 2025

As part of its mission to preserve and revitalise Emirati heritage crafts, the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi) engaged young visitors at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) in a creative workshop celebrating the art of talli — one of the UAE’s most cherished traditional weaving techniques.

Led by Emirati artisan Alya Al Ali, in collaboration with Majid Magazine, the lively session introduced children to the origins of talli and its role in Emirati culture. Alya demonstrated the sayer yay technique, a rhythmic back-and-forth weaving method that aligns threads into tight, colourful braids, allowing participants to appreciate the precision and artistry required to master the craft.